Oakland Parks & Rec summer camp/swim at Defremery Rec Center
I signed up my child for a 4 week session of the Oakland Parks and Rec "Town Camp" at Defremery Recreation Center, which includes daily swim lessons. Does anyone have any experience with this program? I'm a little worried that it'll be freezing and miserable for my daughter in the pool. She's also not a confident swimmer so I don't want things to go wrong with bad instruction.
Thanks!
Leana
Mar 21, 2022
Parent Replies
Hello! We've also registered at DeFremery for session I as first-timers so I can't give a review, but as a suggestion on fear of freezing have you thought about getting a wetsuit? We had a shorty wetsuit my daughter for her lessons at the Y which came in very handy, and because they are not full-length was easy for her to get in and out of by herself. We noted the other kids were shivering in the pool during lessons, but our kiddo seemed just fine. They can be found relatively inexpensive ($25-40) on Amazon and Decathlon. Good luck!
My kids have gone several summers to DeFremery and your kid will be fine! It’s heated but not hot and they’ll get used to it. The camp staff gets the kids to and from the pool but the kids are in charge of changing in/out of suits and gathering their stuff so your kid will learn some responsibility and independence.
In terms of bad instruction, I’m not sure what exactly your concern is but our kids were able to tell me their level, when they had “passed” a skill and I was informed at the end of the session whether they were ready for more advanced lessons. They provide instruction for all levels - my middle kid was only 5 and couldn’t swim his first summer there and at the end of the session was able to jump in a pool and be safe. Hope that helps!
rachel.